Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy for Analyzing Ocular Surface Particles on Schirmer Strips

Authors

Anuroop Avula, University of Miami
Anat Galor, University of Miami
Patricia Blackwelder, University of MiamiFollow
Melissa Carballosa-Gautam, University of Miami
Abigail S. Hackam, University of Miami
Bennie Jeng, University of Maryland
Naresh Kumar, University of Miami

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Cornea

ISSN

1536-4798

Publication Date

6-2017

Keywords

Ocular surface, Particulate matter, SEM, EDS, Dry eye

Abstract

Purpose: To demonstrate the application of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) for analyzing Schirmer strips for particle concentration, size, morphology, and type distribution.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Patients were prospectively recruited from the Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System eye clinic, and they underwent a complete ocular surface examination. The size, type, and chemical composition of particulate matter on Schirmer strips (from the left eye) were analyzed using SEM/EDS.

Results: Schirmer strips from all 6 patients showed particle loading, ranging from 1 to 33 particles, whereas the blank Schirmer strip that served as a control showed no particle loading. Most particles were coarse, with an average size of 19.7 μm (95% confidence interval 15–24.4 μm). All samples contained organic particles (eg, pollen and mold), and 5 of the 6 samples contained nonorganic particles. The nonorganic particles were composed of silicon, minerals, and metals, including gold and titanium. The size of aluminum and iron particles was ≥62 μm, whereas the size of 2 other metals, zinc and gold, was smaller, that is, <20 μm. Most metal particles were elongated compared with the organic particles, which were round.

Conclusions: Although SEM/EDS has been extensively used in biomedical research, its novel application to assess the size, morphology, and chemical composition of the ocular surface particles offers an unprecedented opportunity to tease out the role of particulate matter exposure in ocular surface disease and disorders.

DOI

10.1097/ICO.0000000000001173

Volume

36

Issue

6

First Page

752

Last Page

756

Comments

©2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Additional Comments

Department of Veterans Affairs grant #: EPID-006-15S, NIH grant #s: EY026174; NIH Center Core grant #: P30EY014801

NSUWorks Citation

Anuroop Avula, Anat Galor, Patricia Blackwelder, Melissa Carballosa-Gautam, Abigail S. Hackam, Bennie Jeng, and Naresh Kumar. 2017. Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy for Analyzing Ocular Surface Particles on Schirmer Strips .Cornea , (6) : 752 -756. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/845.